Hi everyone! I'm searching for 2nd barre help! I've had my 4yo colt on barrels for maybe 8/9 months now, and he's really caught on to it! He's really great and learned his flying lead changes, though I think he's getting caught up. He will have a really nice first barrel, try and gravitate towards the opposite side of the 2nd barrel that we're supposed to go (so to the left) and I really have to work to get him over. And when I do he really tries to shoulder into the 2nd barrel. He's perfect at a walk and trot, and I'm almost thinking he might be struggling and anticipating switching leads at the second and that might be why he struggles to get over to his pocket? Any drills? Suggestions? Here is a video of him doing it! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdWnJo7X/

Inside rein...the more you pull on the outside rein the more your horse will shoulder and drop into the turn.  Inside rein and weight in the outside stirrup...as I say ride with your butt / hips to move over.  Not sure that makes sense.

Horses mimic the riders body. The way you are trying to hold off is actually forcing him to dive in. YOU are reverse arching YOUR body going into second so he is too. All your weight is to the inside so he's drifting to stay under you.

This and I also noticed when you go to turn you basically are throwing your hands forward which is causing him to dump on his front end. When you are working at a slow lope like that make sure you are taking him wider around the barrels also, tight turns come when speed is added, stay back over your seat and lift your inside hand higher than your outside pulling back and to the barrel slightly while driving him forward with your legs. A drill a good trainer friend of mine would do when horses started doing this is pick up both hands and drive them forward to the fence. This will get them standing upright going into the turn, shifting their weight to the back end so they can get up under themselves to get around the barrel smooth and be able to power out on the backside.

Take your horse deeper into the first barrel, so he doesn't bow out. When slow working, turn the barrel and move him over as soon as he clears it.  

A lot of horses anticipate the turn on the 2nd.  When slow working him, correct that.  Walk him to the 2nd, wait until your leg is even with the barrel, then push him forward and around it. 

This is a very simplified explanation, but hopefully you get the idea. 

I like your horse, BTW.

Your second isnt the problem. Your first is. Problems pile on top of each other thru the run. Fix #1 entry and exit which will go a long way to fixing #2. Its hard to lope thru like you are doing, you are tring to keep him moving forward and its causing you as a jockey to send the wrong signals. I would  use 1 barrel to teach him smooth forward motion around the turn using spirals.